Rotating teacher strikes to continue next week

The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has notified school districts it will continue rotating strikes around the province next week, as negotiations continue to settle their long-running dispute over pay and staffing levels.

BCTF president Jim Iker notified the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association in a letter Wednesday afternoon.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender reiterated the BCPSEA’s latest offer of a $1,200 signing bonus and a six-year contract term, but indicated the union needs to modify its demands and stop strike action.

“I’m profoundly disappointed that while we’re still at the table, with all of the talk that’s been going on, that children and parents and communities are continuing to be held hostage and put in the middle of this dispute,” Fassbender said.

The Labour Relations Board is to hear arguments Thursday on whether the school districts can cut teacher pay 10% in response to the union’s withdrawal of services.